Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Manuscripts

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SERMONES QUADRAGESIMALES DE PECCATIS. [and other works].

(Venice: Andreas Torresanus, de Asula, 27 September, 1488). 225 x 152 mm. (9 x 6"). [1], 2-191, [1] leaves (first and last blank). Double column, 49 lines, gothic type. FIRST EDITION.Contemporary blind-stamped calf, covers with multiple frames formed by thick and thin blind rules, central panel framed by ropework design highlighted with fleur-de-lys stamps and containing three large rosettes, raised bands, remnants of two clasps, pastedowns of repurposed earlier manuscript. Front pastedown with donation bookplate of Manhattan College (the Brother Julian F. S. C. Collection) and with book label of Kenneth Rappaport. Goff C-160; BMC V, 309. One-inch triangular chip to head of spine, front joint cracked (but nothing loose), other minor signs of wear to the leather, but the binding still sound and not displeasing. Offsetting from binder's glue to first and last few leaves, small cluster of wormholes to text of first gathering affecting a few single letters, additional trivial imperfections, otherwise A FINE COPY INTERNALLY, especially clean and fresh.

In a pleasing Italian period binding and with connections to two famed printing houses, this attractive specimen of Venetian printing contains a collection of sermons from the most celebrated preacher in Italy during the last half of the 15th century. Called a "second Paul," the "new Paul," and the "prince of preachers," Caracciolo (d. 1475) was able to arouse his listeners to sometimes unseemly levels of emotion, and partly for that reason, he was a controversial figure among the Franciscans of his time. He was one of the first authors in history to see his printed writings become bestsellers. This compendium of his preachings includes Lenten sermons on sin, sermons on Saints Bonaventure and Bernardino, a sermon for the feast of the Annunciation and another in praise of the saints, and Caracciolo's letter to John of Aragon. A former student of the great Nicolaus Jenson, Andreas de Torresanus de Asula (1451-1529) inherited some of the master's types following his death in 1480. Torresanus' daughter married fellow printer Adlus Manutius in 1500, and Andreas took over operation of the Aldine Press after his son-in-law's death in 1515.(ST13007)